Love Inspired Suspense June 2021--Box Set 1 of 2, page 55
“See?” Slade put a hand on Trey’s shoulder.
“I really had him pegged as a vulture,” Trey admitted.
“Nah, bro, he’s just young and eager. Can’t blame a guy for wanting to jump in and swim.” Slade fist-bumped his brother, then turned to Justine. “Will’s doing an amazing job at the ranch. You’ll be able to sleep in your house tonight.”
Justine covered her arms with her hands, suddenly self-conscious of the exposed burn scars and grateful for the dark atmosphere. “Thank you, Slade, for everything.”
“That’s what family does.” He grinned.
“I want to talk to Alex while he’s still chatty,” Trey said.
“I’ll meet you at Booking so you can wrap up here.” Slade rounded his patrol car and slid behind the wheel.
Trey and Justine walked to Eric. He opened the back door to where Alex sat.
“She made me. I tried to talk Susan out of it all, but she insisted. What else could I do?” The hope in Alex’s eyes was almost comical.
“Let’s skip the part where you deny any knowledge of this whole situation,” Trey said.
Alex slumped in the seat. “All Kayla had to do was leave it alone. Susan said we’d just scare her. Use the stalker thing to get Kayla off the trail and make her look unstable.”
“You used terror to control her, but it didn’t work. Kayla was too strong for you,” Justine said.
Alex blinked. “I really did like Kayla, but she locked us out of the Underwood account. That sent Susan over the edge.”
“So all this time, you haven’t been able to get to the money?” Justine asked.
Alex nodded. “Then, when you called about the diary, we figured she’d hidden the information in it. If you’d just given it back, none of this would’ve happened.”
“You’re not seriously blaming me?” Justine gaped at the man.
He shrugged. “No one had to die.”
“Who injected Kayla?” Justine pressed.
“If I tell you, will you cut me a deal?”
“You watch too many crime-TV shows.” Trey shook his head and reached for the door.
“Wait! There’s more! Susan set that IED at the warehouse. I wasn’t even there.”
Justine leaned against the quarter panel. “Except you were.”
“No. I wasn’t. Honest.”
“Prove it,” Trey said.
“Sure! How?”
“Let me see your leg.”
Alex’s eyes widened. “Why? What’s that got to do with anything?”
Magnum sat beside Justine with that knowing smile of his.
“I can get a warrant, but we both know what I’m going to find,” Trey said.
Alex shifted, placing his leg on the outer edge of the door. “Stupid dog.”
Eric leaned in. “Now, Apollo won’t like that kind of attitude,” he said, pointing to the dog’s kenneled area beside Alex.
The man paled.
Trey lifted Alex’s pant leg. A bite mark on his calf screamed the truth. “Magnum, is that your handiwork?”
The dog wagged his tail.
Alex tucked his leg in the truck.
“Thanks, Alex. I’ll see you in Booking.” Trey grinned.
“Got what you wanted?” Eric asked.
“Yep. Meet you at the office.” Trey slammed the door and Alex startled.
Eric exited the property, Slade behind him.
Justine giggled. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For showing up at the perfect time. Susan might’ve killed me.”
“Nah, you had her.”
She grinned and leaned over, inspecting her leg.
“You’re hurt!” Trey squatted beside her.
“It hurts worse than it looks,” she teased.
Trey lifted her and carried Justine to his pickup. Setting her down, he pulled out a first-aid kit and cleaned the wound.
“Nice.” Justine inspected the bandage.
“Still need to see the doctor.”
She smiled. “Magnum’s rescue more than proves he’s K-9 material. The bite is solid evidence against Alex.”
“He did a great job, didn’t ya, buddy?” Trey ruffled Magnum’s mane. “Too bad that doesn’t count for the recertification.”
“He’s earned a little R & R. Let’s see how he does after that.”
Trey shrugged. “The funny thing is, I’m okay with whatever happens. I can train a new dog, and Eric deserves to work Apollo. Regardless, Mags is my partner, and even if he’s forced to retire, he’s staying with me.”
“I love the way you think.”
Trey chuckled. “See, that optimism of yours totally wore off on me. It’s one of the many things I love about you.”
Justine blinked. Her mouth went dry, and she rubbed her arms, longing for her long-sleeved shirt to cover the scars.
Trey covered her hands with his. “I love you, Justine. If you feel the same, I’ll wait a year, ten years, whatever it takes, but I want to be with you. Forever. You’ve always been the one.”
His words burst through the floodgates of her heart, and Justine melted into his embrace. Had she hidden behind Kayla because she feared falling for Trey? Would Kayla approve? Justine tipped back, her gaze meeting Trey’s.
Yes, her friend had known how Trey felt. It was time to release the past.
Justine leaned in.
Trey’s mouth parted, and she paused, their lips a breath apart. She whispered, “I love you too,” and initiated a kiss.
This time, the connection was no longer tentative.
But deepened with acceptance and promise for their future.
EPILOGUE
The stifling summer heat was unbearable, but Justine wouldn’t be anywhere else. She stood at a distance, watching as Trey and Magnum worked through the recertification exercises.
Anxiety oozed through her and she transitioned from biting her fingernails to worrying her lip, whispering, “Come on.”
They’d babied Magnum for the past two weeks, just for this day.
Eric, Sergeant Oliver and Slade stood to one side of Justine, Will on the other. As Magnum and Trey completed each section, the group shouted, “Yes!” and exchanged fist bumps.
But their enthusiasm didn’t compare to the boisterous Jackson clan, cheering behind them.
“One short break, then the final test,” Slade explained.
“They’re an amazing team.” She glanced up to see Fredrick Nolan approaching. “Hi there. What’re you doing here?”
“I heard this is where you and Trooper Jackson were today.”
“We’ll give you some privacy.” Eric ushered Slade toward the Jackson group and said, “Introduce me to your younger sister.”
“No way.” Slade laughed, shaking his head.
Fredrick gazed out at the course. “I wanted to say thank-you.”
“I’m glad everything worked out.”
“Took a little bit for me to accept Susan and Alex betrayed me. Worse, I didn’t want to believe they were responsible for Kayla’s death.”
Justine faced him, compassion warming her heart. “I’m so sorry.”
“My new attorney says Susan will be forced to repay the life insurance money.”
“The Slayer Rule,” Justine interpreted.
“Such an appropriate name for it, don’t you think?” Sadness filled Fredrick’s eyes. “The money was withdrawn in cash portions, making it untraceable. We’re guessing she used it to pay off those she’d recruited to support her quest to stop Kayla and the investigation.”
Though Justine and Trey suspected Laslo Drazin was one of those people, there was no paper trail to prove it.
“But that’s not why I came. Kayla loved life. She wanted everyone to be happy and joyful. She brought sparkle to everything she did. I miss that most about her.”
Justine nodded, emotion thickening her throat.
“She would be happy for you and Trooper Jackson.”
Justine startled. “Beg your pardon?”
“Miss Stark, I’m an old man but not a blind one. Trooper Jackson is in love with you. Don’t waste a second denying your heart.”
Tears filled Justine’s eyes at the familiar saying. “Kayla said that all the time.”
“Yes, she did. And it was good advice.” He winked. “I also came to deliver this.” He passed an envelope to Justine.
She startled at the whistle. “They’re beginning again.” They focused on Trey and Magnum’s final part of the course.
The pair eased through the last portion, finishing before the allotted time.
“They did it!” Justine jumped to her feet.
Raucous yelling from the Jackson crew drowned out her cheers, and Fredrick laughed.
Trey stopped to praise Magnum and rushed to Justine. “We’re back in the game!”
“Outstanding!” Justine lunged into his arms. Then, remembering Fredrick beside her, she released her hold. “Look who came to support you.”
“Mr. Nolan, it’s good to see you.”
“Fredrick, please.” He knelt and petted Magnum. “You all were amazing out there.”
“It’s all Magnum. I just hold the leash.” Trey beamed.
“He is a beautiful creature.”
Magnum did the adorable smile that tugged at Justine’s heart. She looked down at the envelope. “Fredrick brought this.”
“Yes, please open it.”
Justine unsealed the envelope and gasped at the amount written on the first check made out to the victims’ advocacy center. “Sir, this is very generous.”
Fredrick bowed his head, hands in his pants pockets. “I can’t bring back my daughter, but I can help others in her memory so women facing stalkers or trouble might have the resources they need. The resources I should’ve encouraged Kayla to take part in.”
“I’m sure they’ll be very grateful,” Trey said.
Tears filled Justine’s eyes.
She froze at the sight of the second check made out to her. “Sir. I can’t. It’s too much. I can’t—”
Fredrick lifted a hand. “Miss Stark, after Trooper Jackson told me about Susan and Alex’s horrendous efforts to silence you and the extensive damage they caused your ranch, I could not turn a blind eye. Please accept the money. In Kayla’s memory. I’d be hurt if you refused.”
Justine nodded and bit her quivering lip. “Thank you.”
He grinned brightly. “You all have a good day.” He turned and walked away, happiness in his step.
“The suspense is killing me,” Trey said.
Justine showed him the check, and his eyes widened. “I’ve never seen that many zeros before a decimal point.”
“It’s more than enough to fix my house, the barn and pay Will two years’ full-time salary!”
Trey pulled her into his arms. “That’s fantastic. Now that Mags and I are finished with the recert, I have one important thing to take care of.”
“Oh, yeah? What’s that?”
Trey released his hold and withdrew a box from his tactical vest.
Justine gasped as he opened it to reveal an antique diamond ring.
“It was my great-grandmother’s. She and my great-grandfather were married seventy years.” He dropped to a knee and everything went silent around Justine. “Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Justine couldn’t speak over the lump in her throat, so she nodded her head vigorously instead.
“Is that a yes?” one of his sisters called from behind them.
“Yes!” Justine finally found her voice.
Trey embraced her and she melted into him.
Whoops and hollers cut the kiss short as the Jackson clan, Will, Sergeant Oliver and Eric surrounded them, enfolding Trey and Justine into the family she’d always longed for.
* * * * *
Dear Reader,
Thank you for sharing in Trey, Justine and Magnum’s story. I find K-9s fascinating and I am always amazed at their abilities. My own German shepherd doesn’t have Magnum’s skill set, and he’s no K-9, but like Magnum, he definitely has a personality all his own. I’m positive he smiles too.
Characters often teach me as they come to life on the pages of a book. That’s certainly true of Justine. She’s an overcomer, determined to make a difference for the better even after everything she’s been through.
Many of us face hardships, suffering and pain. But it’s what we choose to do with that pain that offers hope in a hurting world. I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 1:3–5, which tells us to comfort one another with the same comfort God has shown us. Your story of endurance might be what someone else needs to hear today so they know they can get through it too.
Know that God sees you. He loves you. And He doesn’t waste a single tear.
I love hearing from my readers, so let’s stay in touch. Please join my newsletter at www.shareestover.com.
Blessings to you,
Sharee
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ISBN-13: 9781488072376
Cold Case Trail
Copyright © 2021 by Sharee Stover
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ISBN-13: 9781488072536
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Wilderness Defender
Copyright © 2021 by Harlequin Books S.A.
Amish Country Cover-Up
Copyright © 2021 by Alison Stone
Cold Case Trail
Copyright © 2021 by Sharee Stover
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Maggie K. Black, Love Inspired Suspense June 2021--Box Set 1 of 2
